Roping Pair Reap Big Payday

Cody Pearson and Chancy Brown show off the buckles they were awarded for winning the No. 11 over and under roping at the Ted Meredith Memorial Team Roping held in Young. Awarding the buckles are Garrett Haught (right) and Scotty Marcanti (left).

As the high money header of the roping, Erurrola pocketed $1,702 in prize money and received a .44 caliber level action rifle valued at about $1,000.

Guaona, the high money heeler earned $1,595 and a same model rifle.

In winning, the championship pair out roped hundreds of cowpunchers who entered the annual roping held July 20 to 21 in Young as part of the Pleasant Valley Days.

In the battle for high money, senior Kevin England emerged victorious as did Tanny Lupe Amon of those vying for high money junior boy.

Josey Human was named high money junior girl after finishing third in the all girls round robin.

Erurrola was first in the open roping that drew 76 teams, first in the over and under No. 9 roping and third in the No. 11 over and under roping.

Guaona lassoed third in the No. 14 roping, first in the No. 12 roping and third in the No. 10 roping.

The No. 12 roping drew 159 teams, the largest field in the memorial.

Payson roper Homer Sanders shared $1,182 with teammate Carl Begay for a second place finish among the No. 10 competitors.

PHS graduate Chancy Brown teamed with Cody Pearson to win the No. 11 over and under roping.

While the roping is a hard and fast competition in which ropers battle for prize money, pride and bragging rights, it is also a tribute to Meredith, a longtime Gila County rancher, home builder and former high school wrestling champion who died in 2005.

Meredith is also remembered around Arizona as an expert craftsman with a knack for fashioning custom spurs that are today the envy of most all cowboys and cowgirls.